The first recorded occurrence of Hirudo verbana Carena, 1820 (Hirudinea: Arhynchobdellida: Hirudinidae) in Romania

Abstract

In 2005, a Hirudo verbana specimen was observed in Stracoş Valley, within the Tăşad Reserve (Bihor county, north-western Romania). Since the coloration pattern of this once forgotten species matches its genetic differentiation, the identification of the specimen as belonging to the southeastern European H. verbana appears plausible. The species was previously cited in southern, central and eastern Europe, but not in Romania. Therefore, the present observation might be its first recognized occurrence in the country. As recently pointed out, H. verbana is one of the three species commonly known as the European medicinal leech and the most abundant as such. Most international and national conservation legislation containing only H. medicinalis (including IUCN, CITES, Berne Convention) needs completion, according to the new taxonomy.